HISTORY OF MORAL PHILOSOPHY

The course is part of the core curriculum of the Master's Degree of Philosophical Sciences. In line with the degree programme, its educational objective is to provide knowledge of the main ethical issues both from a theoretical perspective and especially in their historical development. This knowledge is indispensable for students to acquire critical thinking skills that enable them to identify the theoretical reasons and the historical and social dimensions of the many ethical and political challenges of the contemporary world and to evaluate them in an impartial, wise and thorough manner. Particular attention is paid to the precise reading and critical analysis of the philosophical works on offer.

The course will allow students to:

A. Understand the discipline’s fundamental issues and paths both from a conceptual point of view and from a historical point of view, which means studying them intelligently, grasping their sense and articulation;
B. Develop independent judgment for evaluating such issues;
C. Be able to critically analyze the texts proposed by the teacher;
D. Demonstrate good oral and written presentation skills, to be able to elaborate a philosophical argument using appropriate terms;
E. Finally, because it is a moral discipline, students should be aware that this course is not aimed at mere acquisition of knowledge, but also at developing a philosophical practice, as was the case in antiquity. Therefore, the course focuses on the issue of the construction of the self in philosophy as a way of life and as a way of thinking.

General knowledge of the history of philosophy and moral philosophy acquired during the Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy basic courses.
NB My courses analyze authors who are placed between philosophy and literature such as Pascal, Kierkegaard, Dostoevskij, Weil, etc. So they are aimed at students with a knowledge of literature, as well as philosophy.

Therapy for the soul: “For just as no human body is perfect, so neither is any self.” (S. Kierkegaard, “The Sickness Unto Death”).

In his writings, Kierkegaard has drawn a precise diagnosis of diseases of the soul such as boredom, anxiety, melancholy. He indicated a possible radical cure to them by taking on an ethical-religious perspective. The course aims to analyze some of Kierkegaard’s works that examine the psychological, moral and religious dimensions of the human being, trying to indicate the path on which Kierkegaard urged us to go to become a “self”, thus primarily responsible for our own care.

Students should choose two of the following Kierkegaard’s works:

S. Kierkegaard, L’arte di sconfiggere la noia, trad.it. di L. Liva, Genova, il melangolo, 2015;
S. Kierkegaard, Sulla seduzione. Silhouettes, trad.it. di L. Liva, Genova, il melangolo, 2020;
S. Kierkegaard, La malattia mortale, trad.it. di C. Fabro, Milano, SE, 2019.

The evaluation will be based on a oral exam. The assessment will concern the knowledge and the clear exposition of themes and problems of the course.The evaluation will be based on an oral exam. The assessment will concern the knowledge and the clear exposition of themes and problems of the course.

A. Scores in the range of 18-22 will be awarded to those who demonstrate:
• sufficient knowledge and understanding of the program.
B. Scores in the range of 23-26 will be awarded to those who demonstrate:
• a fair knowledge and understanding of the program.
C. Scores in the range of 27-30 will be awarded to those who demonstrate:
• good or excellent knowledge and understanding of the program.
D. The grade of 30 cum laude will be awarded only to those who demonstrate:
• outstanding knowledge and understanding of the program.

The teaching is organized in a series of lectures.

Italian

Ca' Foscari applies Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) regarding support services and accommodation available to students with disabilities. This includes students with mobility, visual, hearing and other disabilities (Law 17/1999), and specific learning impairments (Law 170/2010). If you have a disability or impairment that requires accommodations (i.e., alternate testing, readers, note takers or interpreters) please contact the Disability and Accessibility Offices in Student Services: disabilita@unive.it.

oral